Beirut, March 14: Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Saad Hariri has voiced concern over Hezbollah’s defense capabilities and called on the resistance group to disarm.
“We are calling for a government with one army, strong, which stands on its own feet in front of the Israeli enemy,” said Hariri.
He made the remarks as March 14 supporters converged on Beirut’s Martyrs’ Square to mark the sixth anniversary of the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri, a Media correspondent reported from Beirut on Sunday.
The main theme of the March 14 anniversary was the disarmament of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah says its military capabilities are only meant to deter external threats and defend the nation.
Head of the Phalange Party Amin Gemayel along with Lebanese forces leader Samir Geagea gave speeches echoing calls similar to those made by Hariri.
Analysts believe that these are last-moment attempts to attract Western support.
Hariri’s government collapsed in January following allegations of mismanagement and corruption over the US-backed tribunal looking into Rafiq Hariri’s assassination. The debate intensified after evidence emerged of Saad Hariri’s private dealings with those behind the probe.
——–Agencies